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U.S. Department of Energy
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ENZYMATIC AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN RADIATION STERILIZED SOIL

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:4177046
Soil was treated with ionizing radiations of high intensities and potentials to obtain sterile soil having physical and chemical properties nearly like those of normal field soil. Such soil retained some enzyme activities. Different types of loam were treated with a beam of 5 to 9 Mev electrons, Co/sup 60/ gamma rays, and hard x rays to determine the influence of these irradiations on soil microbial population, on enzymatic (phosphatase) activity in soil, and on the suitability of irradiated soil for microbial culture under laboratory conditions. For a given soil the survival curves of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with irradiation were almost superimposable; survival curves differ among soils. Bacterial numbers approach zero at 2 x 10/sup 6/ rep doses and those of fungi at 0.3 x 10/sup 6/ rep doses. To insure complete sterility, 4 x 10/sup 6/ to 5 x 10/sup 6/ rep doses were necessary for large soil volumes. This technique provides soil which can be studied in the absence of a microbial population, and also a medium for studying soil microorganisms. Such soils are also useful for growth of sterile plants without interference of microbes. (M.P.G.)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-000120
OSTI ID:
4177046
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English